Try to believe walking down the lonesome road

[inheritance]

[With the start of their internships fast approaching, it's no wonder a good portion of the students in 1-A are too excited to properly concentrate during class. Aizawa, picking up on their lack of focus, eventually ends the class a few minutes early with a tired, exasperated sigh. Izuku grins guiltily at their teacher's retreating back. He can't exactly blame his classmates for distracted like this--picking their hero names and their first internship is pretty exciting. And a big step toward being pros.

Fidgeting with the bandages on his hands, Izuku turns in his seat and just happens to catch Todoroki's eyes. There's the barest flicker of hesitation before Izuku offers up a cheerful smile.] Todoroki-kun, have you already decided where you're going for your internship?

[The classroom's already emptying out, but there's no real need to hurry out like everyone else is. Besides, Izuku hasn't really gotten a chance to talk to Todoroki since the festival. Remembering how subdued Todoroki was during the medal ceremony has made it difficult for him to shake away his concerns. So Izuku gathers up his books slowly and waits for an answer.]

Comments

[inheritance]

A little. [He smiles at Todoroki gently.] You and your mom were really close back then, right? Even before dad left to work overseas, it was usually just me and my mom.

That's okay, though. [Still smiling, Izuku carefully folds up the hoodie and tucks it under his arm.] Things were fine with just the two of us.

[glaciers]

Yeah. I told her everything when she was still living at home. ... It's a little harder to talk to mom about everything that's happening now.

It sounds like you're really close to your mom. [It must have been nice to have that consistently in his life.]

[inheritance]

Yeah... For a long time, she was the only one I had looking out for me. [Try as he might, Izuku can't stop his smile from turning a little sad for a moment. Then, he brightens up again.] But things are different now. I have you and everyone else in 1-A.

You're still reconnecting with your mom after being apart for so long, though, Todoroki. I'm sure once you've seen each other enough, you'll be just as close again.

[glaciers]

... Yeah. We'll always be here for you. If you ever want to talk or anything. You have my number.

[Shouto goes quiet for a full minute as he looks away, glancing through the merchandise.]

I hope so. It seems like she wants to reconnect. It's just... years. I'm a little apprehensive.

[inheritance]

[For once, Izuku's attention is not on the merchandise, not even a little. Todoroki has his full attention as he talks.]

That's normal, Todoroki. Reconnecting with her is really important to you, so of course you're nervous! [He fiddles with the zipper on the All Might hoodie he's holding, even as he offers Todoroki another encouraging smile.] Years is a long time, but you and your mom...I think your feelings will be enough to bridge that gap! You just have to keep trying.

[glaciers]

She's my mother.

[Like that's the most obvious thing in the world. Why wouldn't he want to reconnect? Yes, he did cause her a lot of emotional pain and she's where he got the scar- but things were good between them before. They could be good once more.]

I'm going to keep trying. One day she'll finally be able to leave the hospital.

[inheritance]

One day she will. [Izuku immediately agrees. He has complete faith that once Todoroki puts his mind to something, he'll reach his goal.]

And you'll be right there with her when she does.

[glaciers]

... I hope so.

[But it means a lot that Midoriya thinks he can. One day.]

[inheritance]

I know so. [Izuku corrects him with a light nudge and a smile.]

[glaciers]

[There's a gentle smile out of him.]

Then I'll believe you.

[inheritance]

Good. [Todoroki gets another bright grin before Izuku finally turns back to the clothes hanging on the rack before him.]

Hmmmm I think I'll just get the hoodie this time. [He pauses for a long moment, then pulls out another shirt sheepishly and tucks it into his arms.] Okay, now I'm done.

[glaciers]

[Stunning. Shouto doesn't say a word about it, but at least this time he'll allow Midoriya to buy his own purchases.

He's already covered the socks. He feels like the fit Midoriya would throw would be too much.]

Are you sure?

[He's teasing.]

[inheritance]

[He looks down at the shirt he's just plucked out of the rack. It's a picture of the USA, except rather than labelled with the states and their capitols, it's labelled with the cities and states that have their own SMASH!!! attacks.

Izuku hides his face in it, turning pink at the teasing.]

I'm sure! L-let's go to the registers now. [Before he changes his mind.]

[glaciers]

[It's cute how much Midoriya clearly adores All Might.

He still thinks there's something more than just teacher-student going on there, but there's no need for him to know what's up.

Shouto stays right at his side until the purchases are done.]

Are you hungry?

[inheritance]

[Izuku carefully moves all his purchases into one bag for convenience's sake as they leave the store.]

A little bit. What about you?

[glaciers]

A little. Do you want to get some snacks? I think I saw a pretzel place.

[inheritance]

Sure. Last stop before we start heading back?

[He's admittedly a little reluctant for this outing to end, but he knows he shouldn't keep monopolizing Todoroki's time. Besides, they have more than enough excuses to meet up more often.]

[glaciers]

I'd like it. I haven't had a soft pretzel before.

[They smell delicious- he wonders if they taste as good as they look.]

[inheritance]

[If Izuku hadn't already been convinced they should stop by for snacks, that would've done the trick immediately.]

We're definitely getting one for you. [He declares, hands on his hips.] Which direction was it in?

[glaciers]

It was in the food court. We passed by it when we came here.

[Shouto will start walking off, checking to see if Midoriya is following him.]

[inheritance]

[Right behind you! Izuku hurries to catch up, bag rustling at his side as he fast-walks. He's half-convinced Iida would show up suddenly to scold him if he actually ran.

On the way back to the food court, Izuku spies a crafts store and he hums thoughtfully.] We should come back here again sometime.

[glaciers]

[ There's no way Iida wouldn't show up, even if he was miles away. ]

Did you find something interesting over there?

[inheritance]

Interesting, but not for me. [Izuku tilts his head.]

You said your mom might like something to do, right? Like knitting?

[glaciers]

I don't know if she's knitted before.

... But it has to be boring in a hospital room all day.

[inheritance]

We can get her a knitting book for beginners to go with the yarn and needles. And other books, too!

Why don't you ask her if she'd like to learn how to knit, when you're giving her the socks next time?